Lee Snider, right, talks about the positive changes Ashdin Vuittonet has made in school and life to earn being a recipient of the Turn Around Award during the Wawasee Community School Board meeting Tuesday, May 9. Photo by Deb Patterson.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — A proposal for a new natatorium for Wawasee High School was presented by Michael Mettham during Tuesday’s, May 9 meeting of the Wawasee Community School Corporation Board of Trustees.

Mettham, a member of the Warrior Swimming Pool Committee, presented a powerpoint presentation that included information as to why a new natatorium was needed, benefits, designs, needs, and proposed locations. Included in his presentation was the fact aging and mechanical issues plague the current facilities and the growth in success and popularity of the Wawasee Swim program has created the need for a new facility.

He noted the current use of the pools at Wawasee High School and Wawasee Middle School and the potential use to students and the community.

The presentation included a configuration of a simple 10-lane competition pool, separated into two parts with a bulkhead, a separate diving well accommodating six additional lanes and an elevated spectator seating area. The area under the spectator seating could be used for lockers and/or storage to name a few.

Photographs and information of natatoriums at Northridge and Concord high schools, Westfield Aquatic Center and Pike High School were shown.

Proposed locations included an expansion onto the existing auxiliary gym that would not infringe on the football field entry; building a potential field house to include a natatorium behind the football field to free up the auxiliary gym and high school pool. A third option is to build a stand-alone natatorium south of Syracuse Elementary and a fourth option is to add onto the existing pool at Wawasee Middle School.

Mettham noted the pool at the high school should be filled in as it is old and deteriorating and the 7,0000 square feet of space repurposed and updated. He also suggested the middle school pool remain and could be have many uses if the high school has its own pool.

During the patron comment, Dave Whalen encouraged the board to consider a performing arts center. He noted the growth in the band program and the lack of space in the band room. He encouraged the board to consider such a project for the future generations and to do such a project in the right way and not cut corners.

Other Matters

Three fifth-grade students, three eighth-grade students and a high school senior were recognized with the “Turn Around Award. Recognized were Alye Romo, Milford; Taylor Stephens, Syracuse; Ashdin Vuittonet, North Webster; Liliana Hardwick, Milford Middle School; Gavin Timmons, Wawasee Middle School; and Daisondra Schafstall, Wawasee senior.

All of these students were recognized for turning their life and educational experiences around over the past several years.

Recognition was also given to members of the Vocal Jazz and Advanced Choir for their participation and honors at the Indiana State School Music Association competition. The Advanced Choir received a gold rating and the Vocal Jazz group received a silver rating with a special gold distinction award in sightseeing.

During other business the board:

Recognized various donations to programs in the corporation.

Approved overnight trips for the corporation basketball teams, Marching Warrior Pride and Thespian society leaders and members.

A special presentation was given by Alan Coblentz regarding the Super Mileage Team and its future trip to the World Championship Series in Bangalore, India in October.

Approved support services, certified and extra curricular personnel recommendations.